Ariz. Gov. Napolitano tapped for Sec. of Homeland Security

PHOENIX -- CNN and The Associated Press are reporting that Arizona Gov, Janet Napolitano is President-elect Barack Obama's top choice for the cabinet position of Homeland Security chief.

Earlier Napolitano when asked about a possible cabinet position.

She was initially thought to be in the consideration for Attorney General, but that position has been reportedly offered to Eric Holder.

If Napolitano does step down as governor, Republican Secretary of State Jan Brewer would replace her.

That would give Republicans, who already control the Arizona Legislature, an even more powerful role in shaping the response to a deepening state budget crisis.

A top Obama adviser said today that Napolitano, an early Obama supporter, is the likely choice for the job of secretary of homeland security. However, that person cautioned that no final decision's been made on the position.

Napolitano's office has not commented on the possibility of her being offered or accepting the post.

Experience Prior to Governor:

1983-1984 - Law clerk for the Honorable Mary Schroeder of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

1984-1993 - Attorney with Lewis &amp; Roca, a top Arizona law firm. Napolitano was made a firm partner in 1989.

1993-1998 - U.S. Attorney for District of Arizona, appointed by President Bill Clinton. As U.S. Attorney, she supervised the prosecution of more than 6,000 immigration cases.

1998-2002 - Attorney General of Arizona

Personal Bio:

Birth - November 29, 1957 in New York City to Leonard and Jane Napolitano. The family moved to New Mexico from Pittsburgh when Janet was 6 years old.

Education - Sandia High School. B.S. in political science, 1979, summa cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors, University of Santa Clara, where she was class valedictorian. J.D., 1983, University of Virginia.

Family - single

Faith - Christian, Methodist denomination

Hobbies - Avid moviegoer and reader

Janet Napolitano is a breast cancer survivor, and had a mastectomy in 2000, three weeks before she addressed the 2000 Democratic Convention.